Waste in Flux: Temporal and Seasonal Shifts in Mysuru & Tiruchirappalli

Abstract

Efficient management of municipal solid waste is essential to fostering sustainable urban growth, especially in rapidly urbanizing countries such as India. This study conducts a comparative analysis of waste collection patterns in Mysuru and Tiruchirappalli, two significant major cities in India. The study specifically examines temporal shifts and seasonal variations. A study of daily waste collection data over a period of six years indicates apparent differences among the cities. Mysuru has a greater average daily waste collection of 481.82 tons compared to Tiruchirappalli's 445.68 tons. A two-sample t-test assuming unequal variances indicates that this difference is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0423. However, a more thorough analysis of seasonal patterns uncovers significant deviations. Mysuru exhibits elevated waste generation during the dry summer and wet winter seasons, whereas Tiruchirappalli encounters surge in waste generation during the wet summer and wet winter periods. The seasonal variations highlight the impact of climate-related factors and consumption habits on the generation of waste. This study offers valuable insights into the intricacies of urban waste management in India, highlighting the importance of customized strategies that consider both temporal and seasonal fluctuations to improve the sustainability and resilience of waste management systems in rapidly developing urban areas.